This is about the time of year when I forget I ever made new year’s resolutions. I always start off gung-ho to better myself, but by the time the last of the holiday clearance sales have disappeared and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates have replaced wrapping paper, I fall back into my normal routine and let my resolutions slide.

This year, though, I’m trying to hold on to one resolution: being more physically active. I even considered buying some fitness equipment – until I saw the price tags. Those machines can cost thousands of dollars, which is way more than I’m willing to spend. Turns out, there are some dirt-cheap alternatives to several popular fitness machines. Check out these four, for example.

1. Bowflex

We’ve all seen Chuck Norris tout his Bowflex machine. These machines use resistance rods that can provide up to 220 pounds of resistance for the upper body (or 300 pounds if you want to pay more), according to the company website. The rods are bendable, meaning you’ll have more movement options and exercise methods than traditional weight machines.

Instead, try out a set of resistance bands – like this $30 set from Black Mountain Products. Resistance bands give you the same freedom of movement and variety of exercises. Granted, you won’t get 210 pounds of resistance; instead, you’ll be working with a maximum of 75 pounds (and only by combining various bands). However, if you’re anything like me, you’ll never work with anything beyond 25 pounds – let alone 210 pounds – and you’ll save $2,969 over that top-tier Bowflex.

2. Treadmills

Chances are you know someone who uses a treadmill for nothing but a clothes rack. In my family there are four treadmills, and all of them are in storage.

So why spend hundreds of dollars when all you need is a pair of running shoes?

Call me crazy, but I don’t want to spend $2,000 on something that I can do for free – running. Granted, I can’t adjust the lay of land at my whim, creating hills and dips like a high-priced treadmill’s workout program can simulate, but at least I’ll get to enjoy the outside for a while.

Instead of a treadmill, invest in some good running shoes, a pair of running shorts and/or pants, and possibly an armband accessory to hold your smartphone.

You can buy running shoes at a discount on sites like Zappos.com. Zappos has a highly customizable search option that allows you to filter results by areas such as performance, support, shoe weight, insole, brand, and color. Best of all, they offer free shipping on all returns, and as long as the shoe’s condition is like it was when you received it, you can make a return up to one whole year later, according to the company’s return policies.

For running clothes, I buy mine at overstock retailers like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Ross. I usually pay $10 or less a pop, and I’ve found other cheap accessories like armbands for my iPod there as well.

3. Smith Machines

A Smith Machine is basically a weight-lifting bar set on rails that can be safety-locked. These machines are often used for squats and bench presses. However, they’re big, heavy, and expensive machines. For example, one of the cheaper options, the PowerLine PSM144X Smith Machine, retails for $434 on Amazon, weighs 168 pounds, and only comes with the bar. A more expensive and inclusive option is the PowerLine Smith Machine Package that retails for $1,198 and weighs a whopping 437 pounds. It also includes an adjustable bench and some other features like a preacher curl station and a leg developer station.

4. StairMaster

When I had a gym membership (read: a free guest pass from a friend) the StairMasters were some of the most popular machines in the joint. These machines have a rotating set of stairs that you can walk up at varying speeds. According to this article from Spine-Health.com, stair climbing has a lower impact rate than running, so it might be a more viable option if you have back pain.

So while StairMasters might better for your knees, they can also be hazardous to your wallet. On Amazon.com, the cheapest price I found for the current base model, the StairMaster Stepmill SM3, was $2,999. This model is more compact than others, has 10 pre-programmed workouts, and a LCD monitor screen. The most advanced model available, the StairMaster Stepmill TSE, has a 10-inch LCD screen and includes different workouts set to well-known landmarks. That model costs $6,949.

Stepping does burn calories at a lower impact rate than hitting the pavement, but you don’t need to shell out nearly $7,000 for it. Instead, head outdoors and run some steps for free. Try the bleachers at your local high school stadium or even your own back steps. Indoors, a set of small plastic steps (known as step decks) will do the trick. Think of them as manual StairMasters for a fraction of the cost. Amazon.com carries an adjustable step deck for $45.10 and it includes a 90-minute workout DVD. Buy the step deck instead of the StairMaster Stepmill TSE and you’ll save $6,903.09.

Bottom line

You don’t need fancy gym equipment in the gym or in your home. Just pick up a good pair of running shoes, an inexpensive weight set, resistance bands, and maybe a step deck and you’ve got everything you need to get in shape this year without emptying your savings account.

Pier 1 Imports takes up to 90% off its selection of clearance items. (Prices are as marked.) Shipping starts at $5, but orders of $49 or more qualify for free shipping via coupon code "FREESHIP49". (In-store pickup my also be available for a number of items.)

Pier 1 Imports takes up to 90% off its selection of clearance items. (Prices are as marked.) Shipping starts at ... Read
more.

Updated: 1 week 2 days ago

Macy's takes up to 70% off a selection of men's and women's clearance shoes. (Eligible items are marked.) Even better, cut an extra 30% off via coupon code "VIP". Pad your order with a beauty item (they start at $3) to bag free shipping; otherwise, shipping adds $10.95 or free on orders of $99 or more. Deal ends March 25. A couple of best bets, with prices after discount:

The North Face takes up to 40% off a selection of men's, women's, and kid's apparel. (Prices are as marked.) ... Read
more.

Updated: February 19, 2018

Crocs takes an extra 50% off its men's, women's, and kids' clearance styles during its Semi-Annual Clearance Event. (The discount applies in cart.) Shipping adds $4.99, or get free shipping on orders of $24.99 or more. That's tied with our September mention as the best no-minimum extra discount we've seen from Crocs in the past year. Deal ends March 20. A couple of best bets, with prices after discount:

Crocs takes an extra 50% off its men's, women's, and kids' clearance styles during its Semi-Annual Clearance Event. (The discount ... Read
more.

Updated: 3 days 15 hr ago

Dick's Sporting Goods takes up to 75% off a selection of clearance apparel, shoes, camping gear, sports items, and more. Shipping adds $5.99, although orders of $49 or more receive free shipping. (Large items may incur additional fees, as free shipping only covers up to $15 off the shipping cost. In-store pickup is also available for select items.) A couple of best bets:

Best Buy retail locations take an extra 50% off open-box luxury and built-in appliances via this printable coupon. Meanwhile, other ... Read
more.

Updated: 1 week 3 days ago

adidas via eBay cuts an extra 25% off select men's, women's, and kids' shoes and apparel. (Discount applies in cart.) Plus, all orders receive free shipping. A couple of best bets, with prices after the in-cart discount:

Hanes cuts up to 70% off its clearance items. Plus, all orders receive free shipping via coupon code "SHIPFREE". (Shipping normally adds $7.99 for all orders under $60.) Sizes and stock are limited for some items.

Columbia offers its Columbia Men's Powder Lite Hooded Jacket in several colors (Black pictured) for $59.99. Coupon code "COLMARCH60" cuts it to $47.99. Plus, Greater Rewards members receive free shipping. (Not a member? It's free to sign up.) That's the lowest price we could find in any color by $50. It's available in most sizes from S M to XXL. Deal ends March 27.

SanDisk Outlet Store takes up to 75% off a selection of USB flash drives, memory cards, headphones, and more. Plus, get an extra 10% off via coupon code "10OffOutletFS". Even better, the same code nets free shipping. Some exclusions apply. A couple of best bets, with prices after coupon:

Steep & Cheap takes up to 65% off a selection of Patagonia men's and women's clothing, accessories, and gear. (Prices ... Read
more.

Updated: 13 hr 24 min ago

For AMC Stubs Premiere members only, and with availability limited by ZIP code, Gofobo offers two tickets to an advanced screening of Ready Player One at select AMC Theatres nationwide for free. The viewing is scheduled for March 21 at 7 pm local time; tickets may sell out quickly.

Note: Although you can reserve your tickets without an AMC Stubs Premiere membership, you must show your membership card at your theater to redeem your ticket. The movie is scheduled for release on March 29.

For AMC Stubs Premiere members only, and with availability limited by ZIP code, Gofobo offers two tickets to an advanced ... Read
more.

Updated: 4 days 8 hr ago

At participating locations on April 2, Little Caesars will offer a freelunch combo with no purchase necessary. That's around a $5 savings, courtesy of 16-seed UMBC ousting the top-seeded Virginia in the NCAA Tournament. This offer is valid from 11:30 am to 1 pm local time. Other terms and conditions apply.

H&M takes up to 70% off a select items as part of its Big Spring Sale. (Prices are as marked.) Shipping adds $5.99, but orders of $40 or more receive free shipping via coupon code "0040". Kids' items start at $1.99, men's shirts at $3.99 $5.99, and women's dresses at $3.99.

H&M takes up to 70% off a select items as part of its Big Spring Sale. (Prices are as marked.) ... Read
more.

Updated: 3 days 6 hr ago

adidas via eBay offers its adidas Men's Lite Racer Shoes in Grey/White for $39.99. In-cart, it drops to $29.99. With free shipping, that's the lowest price we could find by $20. They're available in sizes 8 to 13.

Reebok via eBay takes up to 75% off shoes and apparel as part of its Friends & Family Sale. (Prices are as marked.) Plus, all orders bag free shipping. Sizes and stock may be limited. A couple of best bets:

Reebok via eBay takes up to 75% off shoes and apparel as part of its Friends & Family Sale. (Prices ... Read
more.

Updated: 3 days 6 hr ago

IKEA has dropped its shipping charges, with large item delivery starting now at a staggering low of $29! Wait, what? Yes, you heard correctly. With a previous starting price of $99 (and current maximum price of $59) for large items, that yields a $70 savings in many cases. Plus, the shipping rate for small items has been reduced from a starting price of $10 to a flat rate of $9. Although we briefly saw free shipping on orders of $250 or more in October, it still yields some of the greatest widespread savings we've ever seen from IKEA.

IKEA has dropped its shipping charges, with large item delivery starting now at a staggering low of $29! Wait, what? ... Read
more.

Updated: February 14, 2018

Udemy continues to offer a selection of online courses for free. Each course includes hours of content, and most are by far the best deals we could find for such classes. Here are a few interesting ones:

Udemy continues to offer a selection of online courses for free. Each course includes hours of content, and most are ... Read
more.

Updated: 1 week 17 hr ago

Lowe's takes up to 75% offclearance items, with prices starting from 74 cents. (Most prices are as marked, but some items receive discounts in cart.) Plus, MyLowe's members bag free shipping on most orders. (Not a member? It's free to join. Larger items may incur oversized shipping fees.) A couple of best bets:

This summer, NASA will launch the Parker Solar Probe. Sign up here for free to put your name in a memory card that will fly aboard the craft. A meaningless gesture, but no less cool for that (so-to-speak).

The probe is designed to get closer to the sun than any spacecraft in history and collect new data on solar activity and its effects on Earth; it will orbit the sun at around 450,000 miles per hour (which would take you from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. in one second). The launch window for the probe is between July 31 and August 19, and it should make its first close approach in December 2024. The deadline for submitting your name is April 27.

This summer, NASA will launch the Parker Solar Probe. Sign up here for free to put your name in a ... Read
more.

Updated: 2 days 7 hr ago

Shively Sporting Goods via eBay offers the adidas Men's Climalite Game Time Polo Shirt in White for $9.99 with free shipping. That's $3 under our September mention and is the lowest price we could find by $17. It's available in size S only.